Thibodaux, La. - Sophomore Caleb Smith pitched a one-hitter and sophomore left fielder Luke Plucheck brought in the winning run with a single in the third inning as Sam Houston defeated Nicholls State 2-1 in a Southland Conference baseball game Sunday.

The victory upped the Bearkats to 11-8 for the season and 4-2 in conference play as Sam Houston picked up its second league series win of 2012 with a pair of wins in the three-game set at Nicholls State.

Smith surrendered his only hit of the day to designated hitter Matt Richards, the second batter Smith faced in the first inning. The left-hander who now owns a 2-2 record walked three and struck out five, holding the next 29 batters he faced hitless.

The Bearkats struck early as center fielder Colt Atwood led off the top of the first with a double, then scored on a single to right field by designated hitter Anthony Azar.

Shortstop Cory Toups was hit by a pitch in the third inning, reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Atwood and scored on Plucheck's single through the left side.

Nicholls' only run was unearned as left fielder David Zorn walked, reached third on an error and scored on a ground out by Richards.

Sam Houston State totaled 10 hits but left nine runners stranded.

The Bearkats begin a six-game home stand at Don Sanders Tuesday night when Sam Houston plays host to the Baylor Bears at 6:30 p.m. Next Southland action for the Kats will be a three game series with Texas State beginning this Friday.

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance members can receive two free tickets to Bearkat home baseball games at Don Sanders Stadium simply by showing proof of membership at the SHSU athletics ticket office. For more information call (936) 294-1729.